If you missed part one of our move story, catch up here. We are so excited! These past few weeks have been busy getting our house ready for sale, but we’re thrilled to begin a new chapter and move to a new home. I can’t wait to share more.
At the end of part one, my husband and I headed out on a short road trip to an area north of us I had long wanted to visit.
We didn’t expect to find anything more than a lovely spot to explore. Instead, we discovered both our dream location and, unexpectedly, our dream home.
A dream house doesn’t have just one address.
On that day we weren’t actively searching for a forever home or a major project. We’d done our share of renovations and weren’t looking to dive into another extensive remodel.
We were opening our hearts to a new season—a season to embrace life more fully—and part of that could include finding a new home.
There are many kinds of homes I love. A fixer-upper sparks my imagination, picturing the finished result. I also enjoy simply making a space pretty for the season without committing to years of major work.
I imagine grand rambling houses on beautiful properties, but I’d be just as happy in a small home with a cozy spot by the fire and a modest flower garden. A dream house can be large or small—what matters is that it suits the life you want to live.
When I say we found a “dream home,” I don’t mean a single universal picture of perfection. Your dream might be a shingled Nantucket cottage, a mountain cabin, or a small charming house near the water. As I wrote in my book Love the Home You Have, a dream house doesn’t have only one address.
We talked through many possibilities: buy land for a future beach house, sell and rent while searching, buy a vacation home, or find something that supports our empty-nester adventures. We decided we didn’t want to commit to building a house right away. We preferred a home that lets us live like we’re on vacation every day—without needing a second property.
We wanted a home that would enable the adventures we dreamed about, not keep us chained to long renovation projects.
After that day on the boardwalk and several family conversations, we gained clarity: the general location we wanted, the lifestyle we pictured, and our willingness to sell our current home. We felt peaceful moving toward those goals, trusting the right house would appear when the time was right—and it did.
I’m a dreamer but I can get paralyzed by too many choices. Once we narrowed our direction—closer to the San Juans—the hardest decision was behind us. The next choices felt manageable, and we trusted the right house would present itself.
A dream house is a home that is meant for you.
Our new home fits us in so many unexpected ways.
Back to the road trip: we wandered the area without expectations. Our first stop was an open house—a large, charming fixer-upper with potential. A garden snake greeted me on the porch, which was enough to tell me it wasn’t the right place. Still, the house had many attractive features and could have been a fun remodel.
But we realized a major renovation would shape our lives for years—decisions, chaos, repairs, and expense that might limit the adventures we wanted. Also, I wanted at least a hint of water from our home, which that property didn’t offer. So, a fixer-upper wasn’t the right fit for this season.
A dream house is a home that is planted in your heart.
Nearby was a neighborhood I had admired online for years but never driven through. Now that we were free to consider moving, I was thrilled to explore it in person. As we drove in I wondered what my husband would think—he’s particular about neighborhoods. To my delight, he loved it too. It felt like a special place where we could belong.
A cute house for sale sat on the street, though it wasn’t open that day. From the outside it looked adorable, though the listing suggested it might be smaller than we imagined. We parked and walked through the neighborhood to get a feel for it.
To my surprise, my husband fell for the neighborhood as much as I had. He suggested calling the realtor to see if we could tour the house. I hesitated—what if I loved the house too?—but we called and eventually saw the interior.
A huggable house
Years ago we coined the phrase “huggable house” after a realtor described a small, cozy, inviting home that felt like a warm embrace. We’ve lived in several huggable homes and they’ve always been our favorites.
When we walked into this adorable house, my husband smiled and declared, “It’s a huggable house.” In three minutes we were smitten. It felt cozy, charming, and exactly like the home we’d imagined for this season of life.
Despite our instant affection, we tried to be realistic. We weren’t prepared to buy right away—the market was competitive and our house wasn’t listed. We left hoping, but thinking it probably wasn’t meant to be.
Still, the house stayed on our minds. The next day I texted the realtor to ask if it had any offers. He mentioned a cash offer, which seemed like a closed path, so I moved on. A few days later he texted again: the cash offer hadn’t been accepted. Then the offer expired. The door stayed open.
As we kept talking, the house felt more and more right. The location supported the adventures we wanted, and it was a place my parents could enjoy too. We discussed floor plans, how the space could work for us, and ways to personalize it without needing immediate major renovations. It was move-in ready yet ready for our touches whenever we chose.
The neighborhood also put us near our children and extended family—close to one daughter, within easy reach of our son, and a reasonable drive from our other daughter and son-in-law. The smaller community felt right for this stage of life and still gave us convenient access to what we need.
On our budget and in the locations we prefer, compromise is inevitable. Yet the pros of this house kept stacking up. After talking it over with my parents and visiting again with our daughters and son-in-law, the house felt right in the ways that mattered most.
We decided to act, even though it was a little scary. While we debated numbers, another offer arrived and we had to hurry. We submitted our offer and waited. I called my dad on his birthday with the happiest news: our offer was accepted.
My dad’s dream of having a place for seaside adventures was becoming real. My mom would have a new home to enjoy. All of our little dreams were unfolding together.
A few more hurdles appeared over the following weeks, but each obstacle opened into another opportunity. The steady peace we felt through the process confirmed this house truly felt meant for us.
Our new house won’t be a second home or a summer getaway. We plan to live in it as if we’re on vacation every day.
**** Click here for part three where I will finally introduce you to our home sweet home! ***
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Related Posts:
A Big Dream Coming True For Us
We’re Moving: Part One